The Excelsior

Description:

• Located on the Causeway Bay waterfront near a lively shopping area, Hong Kong Island's largest hotel stands on the very first plot of land sold at auction when this outpost became a British colony. Although it belongs to the Mandarin Oriental group of hotels, it is more plebian than its sister properties in Central, with correspondingly lower prices. It also enjoys a solid reputation and a high occupancy rate, including many tour groups, which translates into an overcrowded lobby buzzing with activity, sometimes making it difficult to get front-desk service or find an empty seat. Elevators are also crowded. On the plus side are nearby 20-hectare (50-acre) Victoria Park, Hong Kong's largest city park and good for joggers; the top-floor ToTT's with its spectacular harbor views; and the hotel's free guided tours to the historic Noon Day Gun across the street, which fires every day at. .. well. .. noon. Most rooms are the same small size with the same decor and tend to be crowded. Those that command panoramas of the harbor, with window-side sofas, are the most expensive and largest; slightly cheaper are those with side harbor views or views of the park, while the cheapest face inland toward the city.

• © Frommer's 2012

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Recommended 2009
•  Recommended 2010

Other features:

Airport limousine and shuttle bus service, four executive floors, two air-conditioned indoor tennis courts, gift shop, and direct links to two large shopping centres.